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One way of doing this can be very powerful for
some people. You might like to try it. If you are praying and the Holy
Spirit warns you that there is some bitterness or hatred in your heart,
instead of trying to pretend that it is not there, admit its existence
Admit that you are bitter or hurt because of
something someone did to you. Then, aware of the presence of Jesus, let
the painful memory rise to the surface of your mind. Watch what happened
at the time when you were hurt.
Talk to Jesus about the hurts
inside of yourself and ask him to touch and heal them just as the Good
Samaritan poured oil on the wounds of the man left dying on the side of
the Jerusalem to Jericho road. Tell him, too, about your feelings about
the person or the people who have wounded you. Ask him to show you how
he feels about those people. Ask him to forgive you the grace to
pray the prayer he prayed from the cross when he was looking down
on the people who were crucifying him: 'Father, forgive them.' When you
can truthfully pray that prayer, imagine yourself whispering to the person:
' I really forgive you from my heart.'
In may take several prayer times for you to reach
the stage where you can pray such a prayer with honesty. When you can,
you will feel very free.